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Your Thanks

Posted:
11/26/2012 03:00:00 AM EST

Monday November 26, 2012

Editor of the Reformer:

On Saturday, Nov. 3, Brattleboro Area Hospice presented its Chair-ished Goods Auction at the VFW in Brattleboro. A whole room full of people came out to support this fundraiser and bid on a wide range of goods in both the silent and the live auction (which was ably done by Kit Martin).

Adding interest to an auction with many terrific items donated by our league of Hospice friends, the evening featured a creative, artistic event with specially selected refurbished, hand-painted, and otherwise embellished chairs also available for bidding. These chairs were created by local artists Kris McDermet and Lynn Hoeft, Jackie Abrams, Cindy Hutcheson, Petria Mitchell, Dianne Shapiro, Marci Selig Smoger. Joan Peters, Wren Gore, and Gemma Champoli.

Without these generous and community-minded organizations, this event would not have been possible, so BAH and the Auction Committee thank them whole-heartedly.

And we cannot forget all the local merchants who donated items and services to the silent auction -- their generosity is deeply appreciated. We ask that you support our area merchants who give so much to our community. This holiday season, please shop locally and don’t forget to stop by Experienced Goods where you can find lots of bargains and many hidden treasures.

In addition to the donors, artists and sponsors, I want to thank a hearty committee of volunteers (and their friends and relatives ‘the-evening-of’) who pulled this event together for much of the past half-year. A lot of innovative thinking coupled with hours of time, hard work, and elbow grease helped make this event the success it was. And last, but definitely not least, we all want to thank the many attendees whose generosity made the event the success it was.

All proceeds directly support the hospice care and bereavement services that are provided completely free of charge in our community by Brattleboro Area Hospice. For more information about their services, call 802-257-0775, or check out the website at BrattleboroHospice.org. You can also go to the website in coming weeks to see the list of our many item donors and supporters.

Ann Fielder,

Chair and BAH Board Member, Nov. 8
***

Editor of the Reformer:

Now that the election is over, I do want to thank the voters of Marlboro, Newfane and Townshend for allowing me to continue representing them in the Vermont House over the next two years. I’m proud that we have been able to discuss and resolve so many serious issues in our Vermont Legislature without losing our sense of civility and mutual respect. I’m confident that we will honor that tradition in the coming session, setting an example for others of how democratic institutions still can function fairly, effectively and without rancor.

Finally, all Vermonters should take real pride in having decisively rejected one oerson’s spending nearly a million dollars of her personal wealth in trying to single-handedly decide just who was fit to hold nearly 50 of our Vermont elected offices. Although we can’t unilaterally override the Supreme Court’s misguided decision to allow that sort of massive election spending by the super-rich, we have shown that in Vermont our votes aren’t up for auction to big money.

State Rep. Richard Marek

Marlboro, Newfane,
Townshend, Nov. 8

***

Editor of the Reformer:

On Oct. 20, Halifax gathered for a wonderful evening of community spirit, sharing memories of Tropical Storm Irene and our recovery efforts thus far. Thanks were extended to the EOC Staff; the Halifax Highway Department and Temporary Town Staff; Fire Department; Selectboard; EMS; Town Clerk and Treasurer; contractors; Regional, State and Federal officials; and local volunteers.

Special honorees were Christina Moore and Timothy Putnam. We also want to thank the following people for helping to make our event a success: Emcee Andy Rice; Speakers Ann Manwaring, Jeanette White, Todd Menees, Chris Campany, Lewis Sumner and Maggie Bartenhagen; Music by Merrillyn Courser; Memory book by Halifax Elementary schoolchildren; slide show by Leah Putnam and Melanie Dow with support from teachers and staff; and lovely fall decorations by April Dupuis, Kim Tefft, and Maria Stewart. (If we omitted anyone from this list, many apologies.) With much appreciation all around, we estimate more than 100 people attended to help us celebrate where we’ve been, and where we are going, "beyond the blue plates."

Joan Courser, Patricia Dow, Edee Edwards,Laura Sumner,

Halifax Strong One Year after Irene Committee, Nov. 12

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Editor of the Reformer:

Putney Family Services and the OASIS after-school program at the Putney Central School want to thank the Reformer for sending a photographer to cover our event on Oct. 30. The front page exposure was wonderful, but what was omitted was the actual event purpose. OASIS was conducting a sign up for the new session of After School and Extended Learning classes as well as celebrating the annual Lights on Afterschool events across the country.

Lights on Afterschool is celebrated to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America’s children, families and communities. It celebrates the remarkable work being done by the students who attend the programs and the people who mentor them in the afterschool hours. The OASIS After School Program, along with 7,500 other programs across the nation, will send the message that afterschool programs are key to the success of our children. It is a powerful message -- after-school programs keep children safe, inspire them to learn and relieve working parents of worries about how their children spend their afternoons.

Each day in America, millions of children go home to an empty house after school. It is important to keep the lights on in our schools, libraries and community centers across the nation. Windham County children have the opportunity to participate in many programs in addition to the OASIS After School Program. The Boys & Girls Club of Windham County, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4H and our local Rec League provide many opportunities. In addition, many private organizations and daycare providers offer a valuable service to many children when the school day ends.

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